Premier League Darts - Night 8 Predictions
It’s a trip to the north east for Night 8 of the Premier League in Newcastle.
The PDC’s eight premier performers continue to do battle for a place in the play-offs in May as we reach the half-way stage of the league format of the competition.
Luke Littler has moved six points clear of Luke Humphries at the top of the standings, but there is plenty to play for below The Nuke and the stage is set for another thrilling night of action.
Luke Littler vs Stephen Bunting
A whopping 21 points separate table-topping Luke Littler and basement boy Stephen Bunting in the Premier League standings and The Bullet is yet to collect a single win in seven weeks of Premier League action.
There is no doubt that the confidence of the Merseyside man has been dented and Bunting could average only 87.05 in a 6-2 defeat to Chris Dobey on Night 7 in Cardiff last week.
The Bullet declined the invitation to the European Darts Open last week and it’s difficult to see how Bunting can trouble Littler.
The Nuke averaged 112.50 when taking maximum points in Wales last time out and the Warrington arrowsmith’s three-dart numbers haven’t fallen below 100 in any of his last eight Premier League matches.
Littler rates a handicap bet.
Tip 1: Luke Littler -1.5 legs v Stephen Bunting @ 23/20
Gerwyn Price vs Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price is fancied to down Rob Cross in the Newcastle quarter-finals and, at 9/1, the Iceman looks a decent bet to go all the way in the north east.
The Welshman averaged 103.74, 110.83 and 107.40 in his three matches in the European Darts Trophy last week and the former world champion appears to be returning to his peak.
Price averaged 97.10 to Cross’ 89.40 when the pair clashed in the Premier League in Cardiff last Thursday and it was only an incredible 170 checkout which won the day 6-5 for Voltage.
The Iceman could be running into Littler in the semi-final, but Price has twice downed The Nuke in this season’s competition and the Welshman looks too big a price on the nightly winner market.
Tip 2: Gerwyn Price to win Night 8 @ 9/1
Luke Humphries vs Chris Dobey
Luke Humphries is a fantastic performer, but Cool Hand has struggled to reach his peak in recent weeks and the Newbury man could fall to home hero Chris Dobey.
Humphries has lost three Premier League quarter-finals on the bounce and this doesn’t look like the ideal spot to bounce back.
Cool Hand struggled to deal with the crowd interaction in his European Tour clash with Nathan Aspinall in Germany last weekend and the Newcastle fans will be in full voice in their support of Dobey on Thursday night.
Tip 3: Chris Dobey to beat Luke Humphries @ 39/20
Michael van Gerwen vs Nathan Aspinall
Nathan Aspinall will be full of confidence after collecting the European Darts Trophy title last weekend and the Asp can shock Michael van Gerwen.
The Stockport arrowsmith averaged 100.63, 106.72, 98.66 and 98.19 in victories over Jermaine Wattimena, Humphries, Gary Anderson and Ryan Joyce in Germany and a repeat of that level of performance may well be enough to down MVG.